Reviews of books that have held my interest. And things that happen along the way.
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robertrswwilliams@yahoo.com
And let's not forget my friends at the Public Libraries!Most of my selections come from the Libraries listed on my sidebar. They are a great resource and a wonderful use of our tax dollars.
Have you hugged a Librarian today?

Thursday, December 19, 2013

"The Christmas Song" - Mel Torme and Judy Garland (1963)

No Christmas can be
complete without this classic, which was written by Mr. Torme when he was just
19 years old. This version is taken from the 1963 Judy Garland Christmas
Special. A portion of the following is reposted from last year. The rest I just
thunk up…

Everyone knows the version of “The Christmas Song” by Nat
King Cole. You might have to jog people’s memories with the first line,
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…..” but for the most part, everybody knows
the rest of the song. That’s why I chose this version to post. It’s from a 1963
television special, but it is performed by its composer, the marvelous Mel
Torme. And, as if that weren’t enough of an attraction, he is joined by the
legendary Judy Garland in delivering one of the most beautiful versions of this
iconic song.

This is the time of year to kind of relax and reflect back
on where you’ve been and what you’ve done; not to mention where you’ll be next
year at this time. One thing’s for sure, you won’t get through the holidays
without hearing this song. Some things never change.

Mel Torme was only 19 years old when he wrote this song;
others would follow; but had he never written another, it’s almost enough to
say that that song alone would have fulfilled his destiny. Enjoy this by the
fireside if you can…

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The "New" USS Milwaukee LCS-5

The "new" USS Milwaukee, LCS-5, was launched in Marinette, Wisconsin the other day. This is the 5th vessel to bear the name Milwaukee, beginning with the first Milwaukee in the Civil War. I served as a Quartermaster aboard the 4th USS Milwaukee, AOR-2, a fleet replenishment "oiler" in the 1970's.

The new ship didn't seem to want to cooperate, taking 10 blows from the champagne bottle swung by Mrs. Leon Panetta, wife of the former Defense Secretary, before sliding down the ways for her first taste of the sea.

For a better video, with some more background about the ship, go to this link, which is a broadcast from Milwaukee about the ship's launch. For some reason it would not load here correctly.